The Botanical Garden of the University of Banjaluka is part of the “University City” complex sprawling over 5.3 ha. The complex began as the "Vrbas" Austro-Hungarian barracks at the end of the nineteenth century and it was used for military purposes until 2004. After being assigned to the University of Banja Luka in 2004, the area was allocated to the Genetic Resources Institute to make use of it. The Botanical Garden facilities are divided into three separate sections. In one section, the setting up of the botanical collections of genetic resources has begun. There is a fruit collection and preliminary characterization has also started on the accessions. In addition, ex-situ collections of vegetables, aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs, industrial and wild plants were designed. In the middle section, a pond was planned and the establishment of an arboretum collection was initiated, with representatives of autochthonous woody species. In the third section, green houses were designed and a building with gene bank facilities and laboratories was built. The Botanical Garden of the University of Banja Luka, as a place for ex-situ plant conservation, is of great importance for the conservation of biodiversity as well as for scientific research in this field.

This paper presents the results of the project titled " Agricultural Biomass Cross-border Development of Energy in Posavina” - ABCDE Posavina implemented within the IPA Cross-border Programme between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its main objective is to promote agro-bioenergy in rural economies by including utilisation of agricultural biomass for energy purposes in the Posavina region. The region includes Vukovar-Srijem County (VSC) in Croatia and four municipalities (Odžak, Domaljevac-Samac, Orasje, Samac) and Brcko District in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). These areas represent valuable agricultural land with a good potential for economic utilisation. The analysis of agricultural biomass potential includes production of biogas in co-digestion of manure (cattle, pigs and poultry manure) and maize silage (input of maize silage is limited at 30% of feedstock mass) as well as biodiesel from oilseed rape and bioethanol from maize. Potential GHG savings are estimated for the biogas and biofuels use. Theoretical biogas energy potential is estimated at 1,386 TJ/yr for VSC and 574 TJ/yr for BiH. Based on the theoretical potential for generation of electricity and heat from biogas, total installed capacity in VSC would be 19.8 MW e while 8.2 MW e in BiH. The corresponding theoretical potentials for biodiesel production are 4,258 TJ/yr (VSC) and 1,415 (BiH) while for bioethanol these are 6,140 TJ/yr and 1,689 TJ/yr, respectively. It is assumed that 50% of total theoretical biogas potential and 30% of total theoretical biofuel potential are achievable. Annual GHG savings for biogas use are estimated at 31.30 ktCO2-eq (VSC) and 26.84 ktCO2-eq (BiH). Annual GHG savings due to biodiesel use are estimated at 37.46-64.22 ktCO2-eq (VSC) and 12.45-21.34 ktCO2-eq (BiH) and for bioethanol use at 54.02-92.61 ktCO2-eq (VSC) and 14.86-25.48 ktCO2-eq (BiH).

Pomological characterisation of pears of the so-called “Lubenicarka” (watermelon pear) group has been based on three genotypes identified in numerous vegetative progeny as part of the native assortment of Bosnia and Herzegovina. “Krupna Lubenicarka” (common watermelon pear) variety was recommended for the expansion of production at the beginning of the XX century, and there were two more genotypes (“Crna Lubenicarka” (black watermelon pear) and “Bijela Lubenicarka” (white watermelon pear)) that were listed under the common name of “Lubenicarka”. The research results show that “Krupna Lubenicarka” variety has vegetative progeny characterised by stable pomological features which clearly and reliably determine this variety. “Crna” and “Bijela Lubenicarka” genotypes are characterised by certain pomological distinctions that clearly make them different, but also by some similarities, whose variability raises up the question of their reliable pomological and genetic characterisation. Morphometric analyses of the fruit and leaf of “Krupna Lubenicarka” variety and “Crna” and “Bijela Lubenicarka” genotypes represent their first pomological characterisation that can be adopted as a reliable foundation for collecting, further pomological studies and genetic characterisation.

In this research the effect of biostimulant on the Begonia transplants roots and above-ground mass growth and development and on the nutrients contents was investigated. The results showed that biostimulant application significantly improved root and above-ground mass growth and development compared to untreated plants. Also, there has been a statistically significant difference in nutrient concentration where higher N and K concentrations were found in treated plants. However, in the root of the untreated plants the higher P concentration occurred. At the end, it can be concluded that biostimulant treatment helps the nutrient uptake in the young Begonia plants together with improving their growth and development.

The influence of biostimulant and substrate volume on scarlet sage transplants growth and development was examined in this investigation. There was one cultivar of scarlet sage used in trial which was transplanted in pots of two different volumes. Plants were treated with biostimulant (Radifarm) in concentration of 0.25% or left untreated (control). During the trial, root and aboveground fresh and dry mass were recorded. Treatment with biostimulant and bigger substrate volume showed good results by increasing investigated parameters. Investigation shows how biostimulant application to scarlet sage transplants production improves growth and development of root and aboveground mass which is important for faster plant adaptation to stress during transplanting.